Automatic symbol reproducing device



March 6, 1962 C. L. ROMERO AUTOMATlC SYMBOL REPRODUCING DEVICE Filed Aug. 5l, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 CORA ORA ROMERO MM5/m ATTORNEYS March 6, 1962 c:A L. ROMERO 3,023,670

AUToMATlc SYMBOL REPRODUCING DEVICE Filed Aug. 51, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 s .9 lL

PHOTO CELL INVENTOR C ORA ORA ROMERO ATTORNEYS March 6, 1962 c. l., ROMERO 3,023,670

AUTOMATlC SYMBOL REPRODUCING DEVICE Filed Aug. 3l, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 SOUND Fig. 5

INVENTOR CURA ORA ROMERO .ATTORNEYS` United States Patent O Filed Aug. 31, 1959, Ser. No. 837,241 12 Claims. (Cl. Sii-28) The present invention relates to a symbol reproducing device. More in particular, the present invention relates to a device `for reproducing substantially automatically audible or visual symbols repeatedly and at predetermined intervals, and more particularly to a device of the type referred to which is particularly susceptible for adaptation and use as an aid for bed-ridden patients and/or physically incapacitated persons.

It is known to provide devices for reproducing audible or visual symbols such as, for example, spoken or written words, phrases, pictures and the like. These symbol reproducting devices are, however, rather complicated in that they require a comparatively great amount of movement on the part of the person operating the same in order to be put in and out of service. In addition, it is frequently desirable to repeat a reproduced symbol several times, `for example, in order to catch the attention through the repeated reproduction of the symbol so as to make a deeper impression on the memory of the person appercepting the symbol.

It is known that many illnesses render the persons who suffer from them unable to help themselves. In certain cases, the rigidity or paralysis of the lower aud/or upper extremities and of the facial muscles does not allow the patient to move nor to talk when he wishes to ask for or needs something, or even to express pain and other needs. Many patients experience the same diiiiculties because of exhaustion and weakness as a result of the disease from which they suffer.

Also, many patients are blind or become blind as a consequence of their illness and, regardless of whether this is a temporary or a permanent aliction, it creates a desperate situation for the patient particularly when it is coupled with his inability to speak. The same is true in the case of a deaf patient.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for reproducing substantially automatically audible or visual symbols at will once only or repeatedly or at predetermined intervals.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for reproducing substantially automatically audible or visual symbols at will once only or repeatedly or at predetermined intervals which requires a minimum of manual operation and movement on the part of the person putting the same in and out of service.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device for reproducing substantially automatically audible or visual symbols at will once only or repeatedly or at predetermined intervals whereby each reproduced symbol can be repeated easily and entirely automatically.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a device for reproducing substantially automatically audible or visual symbols at will once only or repeatedly or at predetermined intervals which is particularly useful to serve as an aid for physically handicapped patients and enables such persons to express their needs, desires and pains, without requiring any bodily effort and practically no substantial movement.

The present invention will become more apparent and it will be better understood upon the following detailed description of the accompanying drawings, wherein FIGURE 1 is a diagram of the elements and the circuitry of the apparatus according to the invention which, by way of example, has been illustrated for the application of the apparatus as aid for patients with the appara- 3,023,670 Patented Mar. 6, 1962 ICC tus indicating certain foodstuffs which the patient desires and other wishes he wants to communicate;

FIGURE 2 is a diagram illustrating the elements and the circuitry of the repeating unit of the invention shown, by way of an example, as used in combination with the apparatus according to this invention;

FIGURE 3 is a front view of the rotary magnetic core in the repeating unit of the present invention;

FIGURE 4 is a schematic view of a lm strip with visual and audible symbols used according to the present invention;

FIGURE 5 is a schematic View of the lm strip with visual and audible symbols and, associated therewith, the photo-cell means used according to the invention.

As shown in FIGURE l, the aid according to this invention comprises a projecting unit with projectors P and P with their corresponding sound reproducing heads asr` well as an amplifier unit equipped with a pair of loud speakers B, B', and a repeating unit 101. These three units are interconnected by a plurality of circuits described in detail further below.

The projecting unit comprises a pair of 16 mm. cinematographic projectors P and P', with their corresponding sound reproducing heads (not shown). The projectors are of the type wherein the feeding magazines are continuous or endless, whereby re-winding of the iilm is rendered unnecessary once the roll is used, as the end of each roll is connected onto the beginning of the same, resulting in an endless band.

On the tape or iilm, symbols to be visualized or heard, as eg., letters or inscriptions are filmed transparently against a dark background and between every two distinct inscriptions, that is between the inscription or letter relative to a need or request for food and the next following signal of a need or request there will be three completely transparent frames, the purpose of which will be explained further below.

If the apparatus of the invention is to be used, for example, as an aid for patients, it is possible to provide, associated with each of the projectors P, P', a separate tape or film, one of which will show letters or inscriptions and tigdlres of foodstuffs, and another will be for inscriptions of Wishes for visual reproduction together with the corresponding names recorded for audible reproduction on the film strip or a separate tape. Each need or request for a certain food can be projected, for example, for live seconds during which time the name is heard once.

The tapes are filmed in such a manner that the inscriptions or letters and iigures are transparent against a dark background and so that each symbol, as eg., a word or phrase expressing a need or food which is to be projected will be represented by a suiiicient number of pictures to ensure that the projection takes some time, such as, for example, live seconds, during which time the name of the projected food or need is seen and heard; and between the pictures of a need or food and the next following one or, in other words, between the change symbols, there will be three blank and completely transparent frames.

FIGURE 4 shows, by way of an example, a lm strip- 205 with the transparent phrase I Feel Hungry (206) against the dark background 207. The lm strip has a sound track 208 fand, between the latter and the beginning of the aforementioned phrase, the strip has a portion consisting `of a dark column 209 having the width X.

Associated with each of the projectors P, P', there are further provided lamps L and L', respectively, and, on one side of the film strip, a first pulse exciter 201 (or 201a, respectively) and a second pulse exciter 202 (or 202er, respectively), On the other side of the film strip there are provided a rst photo-electric cell 203 and a second photo-electric cell 204. These two photo-electric aoeaevo 9 cells iare electrically connected with the amplifiers 100 and 100', respectively, and cooperate with the pulse exciters and the film strip in a manner described further below.

The sound amplifier 100 is provided jointly for both projectors P, P', and has an outlet e for the loud speakers B and B', an outlet 3 for a magnetic recorder (not shown) provided in the repeating unit 101, an inlet wire 1 for the sound originating from the projectors P, and an inlet wire 2 for the sound originating from the repeating unit 101.

The amplifier 100 is furthermore connected with the magnetic recorder in the repeating unit 101 by the outlet wire 3 and by means of contacts 14 and 15.

The repeating unit 101 has a current inlet wire L1 and a current outlet wire L2. It is connected with amplifier 100 by means of a circuit described further below.

It should be noted that this repeating unit in the apparatus of the present invention is also novel and useful per se, and hence will next be described in greater detail, with reference to FIGURE 2. As shown in that figure, the repeating unit 101 comprises a fiat ring 162 lapproximately one eighth of an inch wide and composed of magnetic material such as `conventionally used for magnetic audio recordings; it may be of iron oxide uniformly attached to a plastic material or a ring made from a special steel such as used for the recording wire. This ring is placed with one of its sides on a disc 163 of nonmagnetic material, such as fiber, aluminum, etc., and this disc 163 is, in turn, placed on a cylinder 164 from soft iron which is provided on its periphery with an -annular grooved slot or notch 16de` for housing an enamelled copper wire or winding 165 through which a continuous electric current from a source of supply in the amplifier 101 can circulate, whereby the cylinder 164 is converted in to an electromagnet whose force may be controlled by the magnitude of current applied to the winding 165 by means of a rheostat 151.

The ring 162, disc 163, cylinder 164, and enamelled copper wire or winding 165, are mounted in a tubular axis 160 at the inside of which there is provided an electric conductor of one of the terminals of the winding 165 which is connected with a copper ring 159, the latter ring being insulated and slidably mountedin the tubular axis 160, whereas the other terminal of the winding is connected to the tubular axis 160 which is imparted rotary movement by the speed-reducing box 166, which latter is actuated by an electric motor M.

Against the free side of the magnetic ring 162 there is placed the magnetic head of the recording-reproducing device S which is mounted in the extreme forward end of a two-armed lever 156 fulcrumed at 170, Ithe righthand vaim 15651 of which is infiuenced by a spring 157 tending to pull this lever arm downwardly. As a result of the action of spring 157, the left-hand arm 156];l of lever 156 is raised, thus putting the magnetic head 158 out of contact with the magnetic ring 162. The left-hand arm end 156b of lever 156 is connected to the core 155 of a solenoid 154 whose coil causes the core 155 to descend, when being fed with electric current, thus overcoming the force of spring 157, and also causes the magnetic head 158 to make contact with the magnetic ring 162. The coil of the solenoid 154 has one terminal connected to earth and the other to a contact 167.

The rheostat 151 has one terminal connected to the contact 16S and its needle or mobile arm is connected to a sliding contact 161 by means of the iiltering circuit and voltage-reducing means formed by the condensers C-1, C-Z, and the resistances 152, 153, whose sliding contact 161 is connected with the copper ring 159.

An electromagnet 150 is connected in the anode circuit of the end tube of amplier 100; which electromagnet when receiving current attracts a contact 169 which also receives electricity from amplifier 100. When this contact 169 is attracted by the electromagnet 150, it unites with contact 168 thereby feeding current to the winding 165, and feeding no more current to solenoid 154 since said contact 169 separates from contact 167 connected to said solenoid 154. When current ceases to circulate through the solenoid 154, the magnetic head 158 separates from the magnetic ring 162 duc to the action of the spring 157 which pulls down the right hand arm 156e while the left hand arm 1561) of lever 157 is raised, thus putting the magnetic head 158 out of contact with the magnetic ring 162. When current ceases to circulate through the coil of the electromagnet 150, contact 169 separates from contact 168 and unites with contact 167 thereby feeding current to `the winding 165.

The amplifier is fed with electric impulses which it may receive `from an outer source, such as, for example, a photoelectric cell 214; however, these impulses can also be produced in the amplifier proper by pushing the interruptor of the manual button 170', when the unit is used for other purposes than as the aid for patients described by way of an example only in the present application. Such further uses will be explained further below.

The apparatus of the invention is provided with a plurality of control switches or buttons, namely, the switch S-W having terminals 210, 211, for starting the operation of the projection and symbol reproducing equipment corresponding to, for example, the needs or requests for food; the control push-buttons S-1 for feeding current to the apparatus; S-2 for disconnecting the projection equipment from the current source; S-3 for putting the apparatus out of operation.

The apparatus of the invention is also equipped with a plurality of circuits and connections which will next be described.

First of all, there is provided a supply circuit for feeding current from a current source, for example, from the Imains, to the apparatus which comprises, connected with one another in the following sequence, the wire 54 adapted for connection to the current source, the wire 102 leading to the amplifier 100, the wire 103 passing out of the amplifier 100, the wire 53, the switch S-1, the wire 52, the wire 51, the switch S-3, and the wire 50, the latter leading back to the current source. Furthermore, there is provided a relay R-l connected at one end with the wires 102 and 54, and at the other end with the wire 103. Moveable contacts 10 are connected with the relay R-l via wire 55, and with switch S-3 via wire 51, respectively. The contacts are also connected with switch S-1 via wires 52 and 53, respectively.

A further circuit puts the projection equipment into operation and comprises the following elements interconnected in the following sequence: A relay R-Z is connected with tubes 110, 111, of the amplifier 100 and is associated with two contacts 11, one Contact of which is connected to wire 102 via wire 56, whereas the other contact is connected with wire 57, switch S-W, wire 53, contacts 12, 13, with relay R-3 being associated with these contacts 12, 13, wire 59, wire 55 and wire 103.

The repeating unit is connected with the amplifier in order to record sound symbols and store them in the repeating unit. This connection comprises the wire 60a connected with the magnetic reproducing head of the repeating unit, the wire 60, contacts 14 and 15, with which there is also associated the relay R-3, the wire 3 and outlet recording head 3a of the amplifier 100.

Furthermore, there is provided a connection of the repeating unit with the sound inlet of the amplicr 100, in order to have the recorded sounds of the repeating unit repeatedly amplified by amplifier 100 and reproduced through loudspeakers B connected with the amplifier 100, which connection comprises wires 60a, connected with the mavnetic recording head 158 of the repeating unit 101, wire 60, contacts 14 and 16, which are also associated with relay R-3, wire 2, and sound inlet 102 of the am` pliier unit 100.

scesero In addition, there is a wire arrangement for disconnecting the projecting equipment 120 from the current source, which comprises the switch S-2, wire 62, contact 64, disposed opposite to moveable contact 12 and adapted to come into co-ntact with the latter and wire 63` connected with contact 12 and switch S-2, as well as relay R-3 connected with contact 64, the latter being connected with terminal wire 54 via the wire 61.

A further circuit is provided, adapted for establishing connection between the amplifier unit 100 and the repeating unit 101, which comprises wire 113 connected to the repeating unit 101, wire 63, wire 59, wire 55, wire 103, wire 2, the latter two being connected to the amplifying unit 100, wire 56, the moveable contacts 111 with which there is associated the relay 2, Wire 57 and wire 114, the latter leading into the repeating unit 101.

The apparatus of the present invention, `for example, as used as an aid for patients operates in the following manner:

The selective operation of the projector according to needs or wishes for food is started by way of the switch S-W having two poles and two positions, which puts in one or the other projector P or P with its lamp L or L' and corresponding sound excitors 201 or 202.

Now, this switch S-W is actuated via its first terminal 210 connected to contacts 11 via wire 57, and its terminal 211 connected to contact '13 and eventually contact 12,

vvia wire 58, `as follows:

When the button of the control S-1 is pushed, electric current Will circulate as follows: it will enter by the wire 54, pass to the relay R1, proceed to the conductor 53 and from there to the switch S-1, continue on to the conductors 52 and 51 and to the switch S-3 which is normally closed and then pass from the conductor 50 to the neutral wire.

When the current circulates through relay R-l, contacts 10 unite and will remain united, and even if the button of switch S-1 was not pressed, the electric current entering via the wire 54 and circulating through relay R-1 continues via the conductor 55 and through the switch S-3 to the outlet conductor 50. In this manner, the general current is furnished to the apparatus, and the relay R-1 as well as the amplifier 100 are kept in operation via the conductors 102 and 103.

When the tubes 110 and 111 of said amplifier 100 are getting warm, the coil of relay R-2 is excited; said coil is connected as cathode resistance of the end audio tubes of said amplier. When its rotor is attracted, said relay R-Z causes the contacts 11 to unite and puts into operation the switch S-W, one terminal of which receives current by the conductors 54, 102, 56 and 57 by means of contacts 11, whereas the other terminal of said switch `S-W remains connected to the outlet conductor 50 via conductor 5S, contacts 12-13, which remain united while the relay R-3 is not in circuit, conductors 59, 55, 103, contacts 10, conductor 51 and switch S-3. This switch S-W puts the projection equipment, impulse and corresponding sound into operation according to the position of the desires or foods In this manner, the apparatus of the invention reproduces symbols, e.g., the inscriptions with the nameuof needs or foods, which are projected for a duration of, for example, five seconds each, while also the name is audibly reproduced through the loudspeakers B, B'.

While the succession of needs or food thus passes audibly and visibly in front of the patient, the sound recorded on the film and reproduced so as to be heard is constantly recorded over the repeating unit. This is done as the contacts 14e-15 remain in mutual contact while the relay R-3 is not in circuit, thereby connecting the magnetic reproducing head of the repeating unit 101 and the outlet recording means 3a of the amplifier 100 via the conductors 3, 60 and 60a.

Now, it is undesirable to have every single symbol Vstored in the repeating unit, as only determined single 6 symbols or groups of symbols are to be repeated. For that purpose, the apparatus has the afore-described eras# ing means which operate in the following manner: j

The exciter 201 produces a luminous beam which crosses the film strip 207 with the dark column 209 and the sound track 208, and then impinges upon the photoelectric cell 203, which is connected with the amplifier 100. Similarly, the exciter 202 produces a luminous beam which crosses the film strip 207 with the dark column 209 and the sound track 208, and then impinges upon the photoelectric cell 204, which is connected with the pulse amplifier associated with the repeating unit 101.

While the projector is in operation, the lamp 220 projects the symbol on a screen, and the light beam emitted by exciter 201 reproduces in the photoelectric cell 203 the light modulations of the sound track.

The light beam, passing from the pulse exciter 202 to the photoelectric cell 204 passes through the dark column 209. At the end of each group of pictures with letters there follow three totally transparent pictures, and the sudden change from dark to light in the passage of the light beam will affect the photoelectric cell 204 so as to produce an electric impulse which is amplified bythe pulse amplifier 100 connected with the repeating unit 101, and which erases what had been recorded therein. When the dark pictures relative to the next wish or food in the film return, the change of light in the photoelecf tric cell 204 will cause the repeating unit to return into its recording position.

When the amplifier 100 receives an electric impulse, for example, from photoelectric cell 204, the electromagnet which is connected with the anode circuit of the end tube of said amplifier is excited, it attracts its rotor and thus the current which was applied to the solenoid 154 via the contacts 167-169 ceases to be applied to said solenoid and is applied instead to the winding by means of the filtering circuit and voltage-reducing means formed by the condensers C-l, C-2, and the resistances 152, 153, and by the sliding contact 161; and contact 169 separates from contact 167 and unites with contact 168 of the rheostat 151 which is connected to the resistance 152. When the solenoid 154 receives no longer current, the spring 157 pulls the lever arm 156a of the lever 156 downwardly and causes the head of the recording-reproducing means 158 to separate from the magnetic ring 162 while it remains outside of the magnetic field to which the ring 162 is subject at that moment due to the non-magnetic disc 163, which ceases to pass lines of magnetic force from the cylinder 164 from soft iron which latter is converted into an electromagnet when the current circulates through the winding 165. This magnetic flux imparted to the ring 162 orders the molecules of the latter in one direction and erases at any moment a previously made recording, leaving said ring 162 in condition to be recorded on once more when the magnetic flux stops. This erasing can be effected while the ring 162 is turning or standing still.

Therefore, although the name of each and every single symbol, eg., the word expressing a need or request are recorded in the repeating unit 101 when they are reproduced through the loudspeakers B, B', and have been projected from the film by the projectors P, P', they are erased before the next name is projected, which in turn Will also be recorded and erased. This succession of recordings and the subsequent erasing thereof takes place in the repeating unit 101 until the symbol representing the particular request or need which the patient is desirous of communicating has been projected. The patient then pushes the button of switch S-2, thereby putting in relay R-3 so that current enters through wire 54, proceeds to conductor 61, relay R-3, passes from there to conductor 6-2, switch S-2, and continues to conductors 63, 59, 55, 103, the united contacts 10, and from there to conductors 51, and then via switch S-3 and conductor Sil to the neutral wire. When the current circulates through relay R-3, the same attracts its rotor, whereupon contact 12 separates from contact 13 and unites with contact 64; and contact 14 separates from contact 15 to unite with contact 16. in this manner and even though the button of switch S2` may have been released', relay R-S remains in circuit, for the current furnished to it by conductor 61 continues via contacts 64-12 to conductor 59 and following the previously described course. When contacts 12-13 are thus separated, the projection equipment and its corresponding impulses and sounds are out of circuit, while the separation of contacts 14-15 interrupts or cuts the recording wire from amplifier ldd to the repeating unit 101. The union of contacts lai-115 connects the magnetic head of the repeating unit 161 with the sound inlet 102 of amplifier 19t) by means of conductors 60a, 6G and 2, which has the effect that the name of the need or preferred food is repeated until the patient pushes the button of switch S-3 which puts relay R-l out of operation and leaves the whole apparatus without current.

The linear velocity of the ring 162, which has a diameter of six inches and rotates a third of a revolution per second, allows one to record words and brief sentences easily which will be repeated indefinitely by the ring if that is desired and, of course, unless the recording was erased in the repeating unit by feeding an impulse to amplifier 100', resulting in the erasing as has just been explained.

A different application of this repeating unit other than in connection with the aid for patients described in greater detail in this specification would be, for example, its use by a student of languages who wishes to learn the pronunciation of a word or sentence and would like to hear them repeated several times. This can be achieved with the repeating unit according to this invention making it unnecessary to stop the machine and start from the beginning as often as the sentence is to be heard and as would be required with a conventional recording and reproducing device. When using the repeating unit of this invention, it will be sufiicient to connect the magnetic recording head of the recording-reproducing unit to a spring-type switch of double action. With other words, the switch is normally connected to reproduce, and when the button of the same is pressed, the connection of the head passes to record, while the button is being pushed, and the recorded words or sentences can be heard repeatedly. in order to erase the recordings it will sufice to push the button of the manual switch 176 (FIGURE 2) which will produce an impulse that is fed to pulse amplifier 100 and thus put in action the above-described erasing circuit.

lt is apparent that the apparatus can have more than two projectors with their corresponding endless films, sound reproducing heads and more accessories for indicating symbols representing more and different groups. of things and/ or necessities.

It is furthermore apparent that the apparatus of the invention can be employed for the most various purposes and usages with only such changes and adaptations as are well within the reach of a person skilled in the art. Accordingly, it will be understood that this invention is susceptible to modification in order to adapt it to different usages and conditions and, accordingly, it is desired to comprehend such modifications within this invention as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

l claim:

l. A symbol storing and reproducing apparatus, comprising, in combination:

at least one reproducing unit for reproducing symbols stored in a carrier;

endless recording and reproducing means for continuously recording symbols stored in individual portions of said carrier and being reproduced by said Si reproducing unit and for thereafter reproducing the thus recorded symbols; erasing means for continuously erasing the symbols recorded by said recording means after the same has, during a cycle of operation, recorded the symbols stored in a portion of said carrier, thereby preventing said recording and reproducing means from reproducing the symbols recorded thereby; and

means controllable at the will of an operator for deactivating said erasing means,

whereby said recording and reproducing means may be made to reproduce repeatedly the symbols stored in any selected portion of said carrier after said reproducing unit has reproduced the symbols stored in the selected portion of said carrier.

2. An electrically operated symbol storing and reproducing apparatus as described in claim l, further com prising a current source known per se, a current supply circuit supplying electric energy to the apparatus, and electric connection means connecting said endless recording and reproducing means with said reproducing unit.

3. An electrically operated symbol storing and reproducing apparatus as described in claim l, comprising a current supply circuit and first switch means in said current supply circuit for effecting current supply to the apparatus via said current supply circuit and second switch means in said current supply circuit for interrupting current supply to the apparatus, a control circuit and further switch means associated therewith for starting and terminating the operation of said reproducing unit.

4. An electrically operated symbol storing and reproducing apparatus as described in claim 3, a further circuit and further switch means in said circuit for deactivating said erasing means.

5. An apparatus for storing and reproducing audible and visual symbols from a sound and image carrier strip comprising, in combination, a reproducing unit comprising at least one cinematographic projector, a sound reproducing head associated with said projector and scanning the sound tracks of said carrier strip, at least one loudspeaker with said sound reproducing head, a repeating unit, comprising endless recording and reproducing means for continuously recording symbols stored in individual portions of said carrier and being reproduced by said reproducing unit and for thereafter reproducing the thus recorded symbols, impulse generating means associated with said carrier strip, erasing means and impulse receiving means in said erasing means causing said erasing means to erase continuously the symbols recorded by said recording `means after the same has, during a cycle of operation, recorded the symbols stored in a portion of said carrier, thereby preventing said recording and reproducing means from reproducing the symbols recorded thereby, and means controllable at the will of an operator for deactivating said erasing means, whereby said recording and reproducing means of said repeating unit may be made to reproduce repeatedly the symbols stored in any selected portion of said carrier after said reproducing unit has reproduced the symbols stored in the selected portion of said carrier.

6. Apparatus as described in claim 5, further comprising sound amplifier means, a first outlet wire connecting said amplifier means with said loudspeaker, and a second outlet wire connecting said amplifier means with said endless sound recording means in said repeating unit, a first inlet wire connecting said amplifier means with said sound reproducing head of said projector, and a second inlet wire connecting said amplifier means with said sound reproducing means of said repeating unit.

7. Apparatus as described in claim 5, comprising a lamp associated with said projector, said carrier strip having inscriptions filmed transparently against a darl: background and having between every two inscriptions three completely transparent portions, pulse exciter means at one side of the carrier strip, and photo-electric cell means at the other side of the carrier strip and receiving an impulse whenever the three transparent portions of the carrier strip are projected, and electric connection means connecting said photo-electric cell with said impulse receiving means in lsaid repeating unit, the impulse produced in said photo-electric cell causing the recorded symbols in said repeating unit to be erased.

8. Apparatus as described in claim 5, comprising a current source, a current supply circuit for supplying electric energy to the apparatus, a switch for closing said circuit, and relay means keeping said circuit closed after said switch has been operated, a control circuit, a second switch and a second relay in said control circuit actuated by said current supply circuit and keeping in operation said projector and said loudspeaker so as to reproduce the sounds and images from said carrier strip, and a further control circuit and a further switch and relay in said circuit, for disconnecting said projector from said amplifying means and said repeating unit and separating said recording means in said repeating unit from said amplifier, and simultaneously connecting said reproducing means in said repeating unit with said second inlet of said amplifier means, thereby stopping the erasing and repeating the non-erased symbols recorded in said repeating unit.

9. An apparatus for storing and reproducing sound from a sound carrier strip comprising, in combination, a sound reproducing head for scanning the sound tracks of said carrier strip, at least one loudspeaker, electric connection means connecting said loudspeaker with said sound reproducing head, a repeating unit, comprising endless recording and reproducing means for continuously recording symbols stored in individual portions of said carrier and being reproduced by said reproducing unit and for thereafter reproducing the thus recorded symbols, impulse generating means associated with said carrier strip, erasing means and impulse receiving means in said erasing means causing said erasing means to erase continuously the symbols recorded by said recording means after the same has, during a cycle of operation, recorded the symbols stored in a por-tion of said carrier, thereby preventing said recording and reproducing means from reproducing the symbols recorded thereby, and means controllable at the will of an operator for deactivating said erasing means, whereby said recording and reproducing means of said repeating unit may be made to reproduce repeatedly the symbols stored in any selected portion of said carrier after said reproducing unit has reproduced the symbols stored in the selected portion of said carrier.

10. Apparatus as described in claim 9, further comprising sound amplifier means, a first outlet wire connecting said amplier means with said loudspeaker, and a second outlet Wire connecting said amplifier means with said endless sound recording means in said repeating unit, a first inlet wire connecting said amplifier means with said sound reproducing head of said projector, and a second inlet wire connecting said amplifier means with said sound reproducing means of said repeating unit.

11. An apparatus for storing and reproducing pictures from a carrier strip comprising, lin combination, at least one cinematographic projector, a repeating unit, comprising endless recording and reproducing means for continuously recording symbols stored in individual portions of said carrier and being reproduced by said reproducing unit and for thereafter reproducing the thus recorded symbols, impulse generating means associated with said carrier strip, erasing means Aand impulse receiving means in said erasing means causing said erasing means to erase continuously the symbols recorded by said recording means after the same has, during a cycle of operation, recorded the symbols stored in a portion of said carrier, thereby preventing said recording and reproducing means from reproducing the symbols recorded thereby, and means controllable at the will of an operator for deactivating said erasing means, whereby said recording and reproducing means of said repeating unit may be made to reproduce repeatedly the symbols stored in any selected portion of said carrier after said reproducing unit has reproduced the symbols stored in the selected portion of said carrier, a lamp associated with said projector, said carrier strip having inscriptions filmed transparently against a ydark backgground and having between every two inscriptions three completely transparent portions, pulse exciter means at one side of the carrier strip, and photoelectric cell means at the other side of the carrier strip and receiving an impulse whenever the three transparent portions of the carrier strip are projected, and electric connection means connecting said photo-electric cell with said impulse receiving means in said repeating unit, the impulse produced in said photo-electric cell causing Ithe recorded symbols in said repeating unit to be erased.

12. A repeating unit for repeating, at will, predeter mined particular symbols from a carrier strip comprising, in combination, endless recording and reproducing means for continuously recording symbols stored in individual pontions of said carrier land being reproduced by said reproducing unit and for thereafter reproducing the thus recorded symbols, impulse generating `'means associated with said carrier strip, erasing means and impulse receiving means in said erasing means causing said erasing means to erase continuously the symbols recorded by said recording means after the same has, during a cycle of operation, recorded the symbols stored in a portion of said carrier, thereby preventing `sa-id recording and reproducing means from reproducing the symbols recorded thereby, and means controllable at the will of an operator for deactivating said erasing means, whereby said recording and reproducing means of said repeating unit may be made to reproduce repeatedly the symbols stored in any selected portion of said carrier after said reproducing unit has reproduced the symbols stored in the selected portion of said carrier.

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